Celebrating Our Roots This National Dairy Month
A Tribute to Lochmead Farms and Dairy
Chris Gibson, 3rd generation Lochmead Farms Owner & Dairy Manager
This June, as we celebrate National Dairy Month and honor the hardworking dairies that nourish our country, we’d be remiss not to shine a spotlight on our own family legacy — Lochmead Farms and Dairy.
Lochmead’s story began in 1941 with our great-grandparents, Howard and Gladys Gibson. Armed with a strong work ethic, a deep love for the land, and a respect for animals, Howard and Gladys laid the foundation for what would become a multigenerational family farm. Originally focused on traditional farming, the family added a dairy operation in the 1950s — a move that would eventually define our legacy.
The dairy was initially made up of Guernsey cows, known for their rich milk and gentle nature. As the farm grew and evolved, the family transitioned to Holsteins, the breed that still forms the backbone of our dairy operation today. From the beginning, the Gibson family believed in doing things the right way — with patience, consistency, and integrity. Even the first cows were provided by Gladys’ parents, who were also breeders, making the dairy truly a continuation of a legacy in animal husbandry. Every cow on the farm has been bred and born right here at Lochmead and no outside animal has been brought into the herd in over 75 years, thanks to a completely self-contained breeding program that has been fine-tuned over generations.
The farm and dairy were operated by the Gibson brothers — Jock, Mike, and Buzz — who carried forward their parents’ values and hard work. Though the dairy farm started somewhat as a happy accident, it quickly became a vital part of our family’s livelihood and identity. In the late 1960s, Grandpa Buzz took the reins and stewarded the farm with steady leadership for over 40 years. Under his guidance, Lochmead grew not just in size, but in reputation — becoming a cornerstone of our local community and a trusted name in dairy.
Today, the tradition continues with Uncle Chris at the helm. For over a decade, Chris has honored the legacy of those before him while infusing Lochmead with fresh energy and forward-thinking innovation. One of the most exciting developments during his leadership has been the integration of cutting-edge technology that brings real-time data collection and analysis to our farm operations.
Chris explaining herd data – a cow showing signs of a strong heat.
This advanced system monitors each cow’s daily activity — from chewing cud to rumination patterns — ensuring that even the most subtle changes are caught early. Early detection leads to faster treatment, quicker recovery, and less stress for the cow, which translates to better overall health and comfort for the herd. Plus, if several cows suddenly change their behavior, it acts as an early warning system that there might be an issue with feed quality, environment, or another variable. With this data, Chris and the team can investigate and address issues quickly, keeping the herd and the farm running smoothly. The key to a successful dairy is happy and healthy cows, made easier with this analytic technology implemented by Chris.
In addition to health monitoring, the technology has proven to be a game-changer in reproductive health. It closely tracks each cow’s heat cycles and behavior, allowing us to pinpoint optimal breeding windows with precision. The result is a more efficient, accurate, and successful breeding process — one that supports both animal welfare and sustainable farm management.
But even as we embrace innovation, our commitment to tradition remains strong. The self-contained breeding program, for example, is a testament to the care and planning that has gone into maintaining the integrity of our herd. Every cow at Lochmead is a product of careful selection and generational knowledge, bred and born right here on the family farm.
Feeding time, 70% of Lochmead’s cow feed is grown “in-house” on the farm; including corn, clover, and corn silage pictured here.
At its core, Lochmead Farms has always been about family, care, and quality. From Howard’s vision to Chris’s data-driven innovations, each generation has brought something special to the table. Yet our mission remains unchanged: to produce wholesome, high-quality dairy products with integrity, and to care deeply for the land and animals that make it all possible.
So this June, we raise a glass (of milk, of course!) to Lochmead Farms and Dairy — a family tradition, a modern marvel, and a true dairy legacy. Here’s to 80+ years of excellence, and to the generations yet to come.
Learn more about Lochmead Farms and Dairy and its products here!